The Windows 10 'Zombie Apocalypse' Starts October 14th. Can We Avoid It?
With Microsoft gearing up to end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, demands for a reprieve are growing. Also: Shocker (NOT!) Apple's Airpods Pro 3 flunks its repairability test.
Contents:
+ Global Calls For Redmond To Call Off End Of Life For Windows 10
+ Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 Flunk Repair Test
+ Inside Europe’s New Repairability Scores
+ Army Pushes for Truck Tech Data Rights in Repairs
+ Maryland’s Aaron Kaufman Scores Repair Law Win
+ Severfield Turns Scrap Into Sustainability
+ $2 part renders 80% of a US missile system inoperable?
+ Europe Ramps Up Circular Economy Goals
+ Why Are Appliances Built to Fail?
>> Demand Microsoft extend Windows 10 support<<Global Calls For Redmond To Call Off End Of Life For Windows 10
A coalition of businesses, nonprofits, and elected officials (including Fight To Repair’s parent organization, the Secure Resilient Future Foundation) has formally petitioned Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support, which is currently slated to end on October 14th.
With more than a billion Windows 10 devices operating globally, it is estimated that hundreds of millions fail to meet the minimum hardware requirements needed to upgrade to Windows 11. That means millions of users - from public schools to small businesses - will be forced into premature upgrades if the company stays its course, US PIRG said in a press release.
“Cutting off support from hundreds of millions of computers is uniquely harmful to consumers, the environment and public safety,” said Nathan Proctor, senior director of U.S. PIRG’s Right to Repair campaigns. “Simply put, there have never been more computers cut off from support in one fell swoop.”
Microsoft: Don’t Leave Millions of Devices Behind!
Do you think Microsoft should continue to provide automatic updates? Click the button below to sign a letter championed by Right to Repair advocates around the world:
OS Security becomes a premium feature
Microsoft has provided some options for Windows 10 users who don’t want to simply ditch workable hardware though, as the NYT’s WireCutter notes, many of the workarounds are complicated.
In place of the free software security updates it has offered, Microsoft will ask customers after October 14th to pay a premium for security updates. That could be in the form of a $30 annual subscription for an additional year of Windows 10 security updates. Alternatively, customers can receive “free” updates by enabling Windows Backup, the company’s automated backup program, to receive updates.
However, the “free” option may not be free. With a cap of 5 GB for free storage on Microsoft’s OneDrive, most Windows 10 users are likely to need additional storage capacity to back up to OneDrive. That will cost around $130 for a premium Microsoft 365 account needed to obtain more storage, Microsoft’s plan for extended “free” updates for Windows 10 could be pricey.
Hackers Eye Opportunity in Windows 10’s End
Beyond cost burdens, critics highlight other problems that are likely to result from the company’s arbitrary decision to stop supporting the Windows 10 software. That includes the environmental damage caused by pushing functional hardware into obsolescence as well as the increased cybersecurity risks posed by hundreds of millions of Windows 10 devices that will cease to receive automatic security updates.
As Microsoft phases out support for Windows 10, cybersecurity experts warn that hackers are preparing to exploit the vast installed base left exposed. With hundreds of millions of devices losing patches, cybercriminals see a lucrative opportunity to target vulnerable users and organizations, The American Prospect reports. Analysts argue that the decision could inadvertently create one of the largest security gaps in recent history. Critics say Microsoft’s timeline prioritizes product turnover over digital safety, raising pressure for policy interventions.
Group wins extended support for EU consumers
Euroconsumers, the EU consumer rights group, saw that “gotcha” and called it out. As reported by The Verge, the group won a concession from Microsoft to offer no cost security updates for Windows 10 devices in European Economic Area nations for one more year without requiring the Windows 10 customer to enable Windows backup.
“We are pleased to learn that Microsoft will provide a no-cost Extended Security Updates (ESU) option for Windows 10 consumer users in the European Economic Area (EEA),” the Euroconsumers group declared in a letter. At the same time, it called out the limited nature of the reprieve.
”The ESU program is limited to one year, leaving devices that remain fully functional exposed to risk after October 13, 2026. Such a short-term measure falls short of what consumers can reasonably expect for a product that remains widely used and does not align with the spirit of the Digital Content Directive (DCD), nor the EU’s broader sustainable goal”
EU groups demand extented support
That was the message of more than 500 organizations, NGOs, and officials, who urged the EU government to pressure Microsoft into extending support for Windows 10, citing the risks of premature obsolescence. With hundreds of millions of machines still running the OS, ending support could force unnecessary upgrades, stranding devices that remain functional. Advocates warn this could fuel e-waste and burden schools, businesses, and public agencies with costs. The petition also links the issue to broader concerns about software-driven obsolescence, arguing that sustainability targets cannot be met if software support lifespans are too short. The campaign amplifies mounting pressure on Microsoft to revisit its timeline.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the Windows 10 end of life saga in the days ahead.
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 Flunk Repair Test
Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 3 have once again failed a repairability assessment, highlighting ongoing concerns about the tech giant’s approach to sustainable design. iFixit’s teardown revealed that the earbuds remain nearly impossible to open without destroying them, with tightly sealed batteries and glued components that hinder basic repairs or parts replacement. The latest AirPods that boast better water resistance and heart rate monitoring still received a “0 out of 10” score for repairability.
“We wish we could say otherwise, but these buds are still disposable by design. Sure, the batteries are technically removable … But for any normal user (or even most repair shops) the process is a non-starter,“ wrote Elizabeth Chamberlain at iFixit.
This leaves owners with few options once the battery degrades—a predictable issue with daily-use wearables. Critics say the lack of repair pathways directly clashes with global right-to-repair momentum, where regulators are pushing manufacturers to design products that last longer and generate less e-waste. For consumers, it underscores a recurring frustration: premium-priced devices that can’t be maintained. For policymakers, it raises the question of whether Apple’s product strategy is out of step with mounting legislative and environmental pressure to prioritize repairability.
Read more at Mac Observer…
Inside Europe’s New Repairability Scores
The EU has rolled out new repairability scores for smartphones and tablets, designed to help consumers understand how easy—or hard—it is to fix their devices. The labeling scheme, part of broader circular economy legislation, requires manufacturers to disclose repair details such as spare parts availability and disassembly difficulty. Advocates say the scores will pressure companies to improve designs and empower consumers to choose longer-lasting products. While industry pushback is expected, policymakers see the measure as a win for transparency and sustainability.
Read more at The Conversation…
Army Pushes for Truck Tech Data Rights in Repairs
The U.S. Army is seeking greater control over technical data rights for its Common Tactical Truck (CTT) fleet, aiming to reduce reliance on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for depot and field repairs, Inside Defense reports.
Without ownership of key technical information, the Army faces limits on its ability to maintain and modernize vehicles independently, potentially raising long-term costs and readiness risks. Officials argue that securing these rights will allow depots and field units to carry out critical repairs, upgrades, and parts sourcing without bottlenecks or vendor lock-in. The move reflects broader concerns across the Department of Defense about balancing private-sector partnerships with national security and operational resilience. If successful, the shift could set a precedent for future defense acquisitions—ensuring the military retains both operational flexibility and bargaining power in sustainment contracts.
Read more at Inside Defense…
Maryland’s Aaron Kaufman Scores Repair Law Win
Maryland Delegate Aaron Kaufman has notched a major policy and personal victory with the passage of a state right-to-repair law. The legislation requires manufacturers to provide consumers and independent repair shops with access to manuals, parts, and diagnostic tools—empowering people to fix their own devices. For Kaufman, who lives with cerebral palsy and understands the frustrations of inaccessible or unrepairable equipment, the law represents a blend of personal advocacy and public service. The measure is part of a growing wave of state-level action, as federal policy remains gridlocked. Advocates say such laws lower costs for consumers, extend the life of products, and help reduce mounting electronic waste. By ensuring Maryland residents have a legal right to repair, the law is seen as both a practical step toward circular economy goals and a symbolic win for consumer empowerment.
Read more at The Sentinel…
Severfield Turns Scrap Into Sustainability
UK-based Severfield is demonstrating how heavy industry can embrace circular economy principles by reclaiming and reusing steel. The construction company is investing in processes to recycle steel from decommissioned buildings and infrastructure, reintroducing it into new projects. The initiative reduces reliance on raw materials while cutting the carbon footprint of one of the most emissions-intensive sectors. Severfield positions this effort as both a business opportunity and a response to client demands for more sustainable supply chains.
With construction responsible for significant global CO₂ emissions, the practice of reclaiming steel is drawing attention as a scalable way to marry economic efficiency with climate goals. The company’s approach could serve as a model for how traditional industries pivot toward greener operations without sacrificing performance.
Read more at Market Screener…
A $2 part renders 80% of a US missile system inoperable?
The military’s push for a “right to repair” its own equipment has been one of the biggest developments in the past year. And this YouTube Shorts clip from the Shawn Ryan Show highlights why. Ryan interviews US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who underscores the costs of the Army’s wonky repair policies for the past four decades, that have given manufacturers the ability to prevent military personnel to repair their own devices with massive repercussions on military readiness. Driscoll displays a small, inexpensive part for the wheels of BAE Systems M777 howitzers which Driscoll claims is on backorder until 2027 and has rendered 80 percent of the Army’s M777s useless. Check out Shawn Ryan’s YouTube clip…
Europe Ramps Up Circular Economy Goals
The EU has unveiled ambitious new legislation to accelerate the shift to a circular economy, setting stricter targets for waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable production. The plan mandates durability and repairability in consumer products, while pressing industry to reduce environmental impact across supply chains. Lawmakers see the transition as central to meeting climate goals and reducing Europe’s reliance on resource imports. The legislation also underscores the EU’s intent to set global standards, challenging manufacturers to rethink product design. Businesses face new compliance hurdles but also opportunities for innovation and market leadership.
Read more at Open Access Government…
Why Are Appliances Built to Fail?
A Guardian feature traces how appliances once built for decades of use are now engineered for short lifespans, fueling waste and frustration. Industry shifts toward glued components, sealed batteries, and software locks have made repairs difficult or impossible, pushing consumers to replace rather than fix. The article highlights the environmental toll of this “planned obsolescence,” while examining how right-to-repair campaigns and EU legislation are challenging the trend. Advocates argue that durability and repairability should return as core design priorities.
Read more at The Guardian…